Dogs communicate with humans through facial expressions, paw movements, and noises.
Distance lowering signals are used by animals to let humans know it’s alright to interact with them and get closer. They can also request that we cease what we’re doing or want more personal space. Distance-increasing signals are what they sound like.
It’s crucial for us to be able to recognize and respond appropriately to the many expressions of canine emotion.
RELAXED DOG BODY LANGUAGE
To better understand your dog, you should become familiar with their calm appearance. Some dog breeds have longer or shorter tails, and others have larger or smaller ears. A calm canine will have a gently wagging tail, gentle gaze, and maybe cock its head in curiosity if you speak to it. These are symptoms of a desire to become closer to you, indicating that they welcome communication with you.
PLAYFUL DOG BODY LANGUAGE
A dog that is feeling playful may show it by jumping up and down or by bowing with its front end lowered and its rear end up in the air. These signals shorten the distance between them and demonstrate a want to engage in a game.
UNCOMFORTABLE DOG BODY LANGUAGE
It is crucial to be aware of the context and to learn what is typical for your dog because the behavior shown by an uncomfortable dog might appear quite similar to that of a calm dog. When dogs roll over on their backs, it’s often because they’re in pain, not because they want their tummies scratched. This is a warning signal indicating that we need to create more space between ourselves and the dog.
There are other less subtle cues, which may appear during activities like grooming or a trip to the vet. Keep an eye out for tense body language from your dog, since this might be an indication of stress. Some of the signs include facial tightness, a tucked-in tail, and a raised paw while standing. Your dog is asking for the situation to end by increasing the gap between himself and you. It may help to give your dog a break and then try again if the situation is inevitable, such as a veterinary operation.
Dogs can seem friendly at first but can become uncomfortable as we interact with them. To avoid this, when you interact with a dog, do so for a few seconds and then pause and move your hands away to give the dog a chance to show you how they feel. If the dog keeps trying to play, or tries to pull your hand towards them with their paw, they’re probably happy for you to keep going for a bit longer.
FEARFUL DOG BODY LANGUAGE
There is a wide range of fear expressions in canines. When confronted with anything frightening, your dog may crouch or try to hide. In such a situation, you shouldn’t approach them too closely lest they feel cornered and resort to more extreme forms of aggression.
Your dog’s fearful reactions, such as barking or lunging, may become more extreme if the threatening scenario persists. The dog is requesting more room by sending these signs. Keeping an eye on and ear out for our dog’s body language might help us avoid potentially stressful situations.
We suggest consulting a behaviorist if you’re having any of these problems.